Have you ever wanted to create something beautiful with just a hook and some yarn? Join our Crochet class and discover the joy of crafting handmade items! This class is perfect for those who have never picked up a crochet hook or who need a refresher on the basics and are looking to rekindle an old hobby. Intermediate levels are also welcome to register to come work on a project, get some guidance, and enjoy the company of others. 

In this course, you will:

• Learn essential crochet techniques, including how to hold the hook and yarn, create basic stitches, and read simple patterns.
• Complete a fun and practical project: choose between a plant cozy or a mug rug - perfect for adding a handmade touch to your home.
• Get tips on choosing the right materials and tools for your projects.

By the end of this class, you'll have the confidence to start your own crochet projects and a new hobby that you can enjoy for years to come. No prior experience is necessary, just a willingness to learn and have fun!

The fee includes everything you will need for this class.

Meet Shelly Christiano, our talented crochet instructor! With years of crocheting experience, Shelly has transformed her passion for yarn and creativity into an impressive skill set. She specializes in creating various beautiful and practical items, from children's animal hats and crochet flowers to stylish market bags. 

Her love for crochet began as a hobby but quickly grew into a thriving business during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. She successfully sells her handmade creations at craft shows and through her online store, delighting customers with her unique and high-quality products. See her work at HatsNThingsByShelly.com

Shelly enjoys sharing her knowledge and helping beginners discover the joy of crafting handmade items. She believes that crochet is not only a creative outlet but also a wonderful way to relax and unwind. 

The class meets on four Thursdays: Feb. 26, March 5, 19, 26; 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. (There is no class on 3/12 during the week of Spring Break). On the first day we encourage any beginners to arrive an hour early (12:30) for extra help getting started. 

This class is designed for beginners who want to build practical, confidence-boosting French language skills for travel, everyday interactions, and cultural exploration. Whether you are preparing for a trip to a French-speaking country or simply beginning your journey with the language, join us for this fun class!

Instructor Mathilde Willis is a French native who has lived in the United States for the past 30 years. She holds a Master’s degree in Elementary Education and has taught French as both a private instructor and an elementary school teacher. She currently works as a Senior Executive Assistant in the Provost’s Office at Northern Arizona University (NAU). 

This class meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays for five weeks: 3/17, 3/19 3/24, 3/26 3/31, 4/2 4/7, 4/9 4/14, 4/16, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

This class is available both in-person and live on Zoom.

Water is life. Yet water security is one of the most important challenges facing us. In this course, we explore where our water comes from, how decisions about water management are made, and where we are headed. We’ll discuss groundwater, the Colorado River, and more. We’ll pursue an approach where all communities and people – including you - contribute to shaping our own water future as we explore local to state-level issues and beyond. The course blends short lectures, guest speakers from across the water community, and interactive discussions. By the end of the six weeks, participants will understand where their water comes from, the systems that govern it, and practical entry points to engage in local and regional water conversations.

Co-instructors Michellsey Benally and Chris Kuzdas have combined decades of experience working with communities across the landscapes of the West and beyond. Michellsey serves as the Grand Canyon Trust’s Water Advocacy Manager, working alongside tribal and rural communities to safeguard groundwater in the Grand Canyon and Little Colorado River regions. Prior to that she worked at the Arizona Department of Water Resources managing groundwater regulation across the state.

Chris earned a PhD from Arizona State University. He currently serves as the Arizona Water Program Director for Environmental Defense Fund. He serves on the Governor’s Water Policy Council and spends much of his time collaborating with local communities to shape water policy discussions and decisions that impact them.

This class meets on six Wednesdays: 3/18, 3/25, 4/1, 4/8, 4/15, 4/22, from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m.

Pysanky (pronounced “PIH-sahn-keh”) is a fascinating traditional Ukrainian egg-decorating technique passed down through generations since pagan times. Simple to intricate designs are applied to an egg with melted beeswax using a special tool called a "kistka," then the egg is dipped into progressively darker-colored dyes. A multi-layered pattern results that is revealed when the wax is melted off at the end. This wax-resist style of decorated egg is one of Ukraine's national symbols.

In this workshop, you will learn to make these beautiful eggs yourself! You will be provided with examples, direct instruction and support as well as all the tools and materials needed to design and create your own pysanky.

Nancy Rhoades is a retired teacher with a lifetime of experience in making things…from pottery to calligraphy and illumination, from sewing and weaving to writing, pysanky, and more.

The craft of Pysanky is a joy to teach, and Nancy is delighted to have the opportunity from CCC to share this particularly beautiful folk art with you.

Pysanky (pronounced “PIH-sahn-keh”) is a fascinating traditional Ukrainian egg-decorating technique passed down through generations since pagan times. Simple to intricate designs are applied to an egg with melted beeswax using a special tool called a "kistka," then the egg is dipped into progressively darker-colored dyes. A multi-layered pattern results that is revealed when the wax is melted off at the end. This wax-resist style of decorated egg is one of Ukraine's national symbols.

In this workshop, you will learn to make these beautiful eggs yourself! You will be provided with examples, direct instruction and support as well as all the tools and materials needed to design and create your own pysanky.

Nancy Rhoades is a retired teacher with a lifetime of experience in making things…from pottery to calligraphy and illumination, from sewing and weaving to writing, pysanky, and more.

The craft of Pysanky is a joy to teach, and Nancy is delighted to have the opportunity from CCC to share this particularly beautiful folk art with you.

Join us in-person or through Zoom.

Shawn Nittmann and sons, Bryor and Brady, enjoyed a successful DIY Caribou Hunt in the Western Arctic of Alaska in September, 2025. Come see their slides and videos and hear them describe planning, preparation, cost, travel and logistics, camp and hunt highlights and outcomes, including what worked and what didn’t. They’ll be happy to answer questions after the talk. As a result of the 2025 experience, they are planning to return to Alaska in 2027.

Shawn Nittmann has hunted, fished and enjoyed the outdoors in Arizona and Colorado all his life. He and his wife raised sons Bryor and Brady in Flagstaff and brought them up to enjoy the outdoors. Shawn is a retired CCC student affairs administrator and part-time Biology Instructor. He continues to teach outdoor related courses for CCC’s Community Education program, and is trained as a Wilderness EMT. His next class is Winter Outdoor Survival Skills.  As a volunteer with the Coconino County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue Unit he serves as a member of the board of directors, an operations leader, and a navigation and survival instructor where he has completed over 200 Search and Rescue missions. 

Bryor Nittmann spends time hunting and fishing around Flagstaff, Colorado, and Old Mexico. Bryor was a Wildland Firefighter and Hot Shot for the USFS for 10 years before joining the Flagstaff Fire Department’s Wildland Division as an engineer. He also owns and operates his own tree cutting and removing business and leases UTV’s to the USFS. He and his family live in Flagstaff and enjoy all things outdoors.

Brady Nittmann now does most of his hunting and fishing in Oregon, near Eugene. Brady is a skilled river runner who plies the Willamette River and its major tributaries in his drift boat as his chief outdoor recreation.  He worked as the Financial Director for the University of Oregon and a business consultant for the University of Arizona and has now taken a job as higher education financial consultant with Huron Consulting. He and his family live in Oregon and also enjoy all things outdoors!

Discover strategies for creating and maintaining a beautiful, functional landscape tailored to Flagstaff's unique environment. This course is designed for homeowners, gardening enthusiasts, and anyone passionate about enhancing their outdoor spaces. Topics covered will include:

• Micro-Climates: Learn how to identify and work with Flagstaff's diverse micro-climates, from sunny high-desert zones to shaded forested areas, ensuring your plants thrive in the right conditions.
• Sprinkler Systems: learn about installation and maintenance of different irrigation systems.
• Tree and Shrub Care: Gain knowledge of the best plants for different areas, as well as pruning and maintaining to promote healthy growth.
• Pest Management: Learn strategies for integrated pest management, including prevention and management of pests and diseases, and strategies for living near wildlife.
• Seasonal Maintenance: Learn how to manage the unique challenges of Flagstaff’s climate, including snow, monsoons, and drought conditions, and develop strategies for a firewise landscape.

Whether you're starting from scratch or refreshing an existing yard, by the end of the course, you’ll have the tools and know-how to transform your outdoor space.

Instructor Dan DeVere has been a Certified Golf Course Superintendent since 1994, with a bachelor's degree in Agriculture from the University of Arizona. He’s also a Certified Viticulturist through Yavapai College, and has been a Coconino County Master Gardener since 2014. As a resident of Flagstaff for over 30 years, Dan has managed the maintenance and care of some of the region's premier golf courses, including Continental Country Club, Aspen Valley Golf Club, and most recently, Flagstaff Ranch Golf Club.

In addition to his work in golf course management, Dan has contributed his expertise to Morning Dew Landscaping, A&A Tree Service, and Wagon Wheel Winery. He is also a licensed applicator with the Arizona Department of Pest Management.

Dan’s training and expertise emphasize sustainable landscape design and maintenance, with a focus on blending nonnative areas harmoniously with the local environment. He is committed to minimizing the use of pesticides and synthetic compounds, striving to create landscapes that are both functional and environmentally responsible.

Class meets six Thursdays: 3/26, 4/2, 4/9, 4/16, 4/23, 4/30, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Writing is a powerful tool for self-knowledge and healing. Seasoned and beginning writers alike will open a pathway to hearing their own inner voices on their journey to wholeness. Through writing prompts, the group will reflect, renew, share stories, and enhance their creativity. Please bring a journal, notebook, or laptop.

Barbara Shovers, M.A., is a life coach, gerontologist, and writing instructor. She has taught at Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Mesa Community College, and Coconino Community College. She co-founded Flagstaff Writers Connection and has organized and given workshops on personal growth through writing. She has been a member of a memoir group for eight years.

Class meets on five Wednesdays from 1:30 to 3 p.m. - April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29